What is AWAI?
The Afghan Women's Association International is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization formed in 1992 for the purpose of establishing and defending the basic rights of Afghan women. AWAI's members are women residing in Afghanistan, Europe, Pakistan and the United States

What are AWAI's goals?
Although AWAI's current focus is the provision of basic human services, such as literacy and health care, the long-range goals are the political and social enfranchisement of women.

What does AWAI do?
AWAI struggles for women's rights by working in the social and political arenas. For example, we focus on meeting basic human needs such as the needs for food, shelter, health care, education and economic development. These services are provided to Afghan women in Afghanistan and in refugee camps in Pakistan. In the United States we have developed social service projects for older refugee women, for at-risk Afghan youth and for Afghan Families.

Humanitarian Help

• In 1994, AWAI successfully completed its first major project by shipping 80,000 pound of clothing, food and medicine to refugee camps in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The UNHCR accepted receipt of the shipment and supervised its distribution.
• AWAI provided $11,000 (US) to International Orphan Care to assist in their work with Afghan orphans. The contribution was designated for food and other necessities for Afghan orphans in refugee camps.
• In 1995, AWAI provided $1000 for the purchase of disinfectant to reduce incidences of malaria in Jalalabad refugee camps.
• In 1996, AWAI donated $9,800 (US) to CARE's Emergency Widow's Project in Kabul.
• AWAI contributed $1,000 (US) to Bicycles for Afghan Amputees Rehabilitation
• In 1997, AWAI contributed $5,000 (US) to Afghan Women's Council to be used for medicine and other necessities for refugees in the Naser Bagh camp.
• In 1997, AWAI contributed $1,500 (US) to Bibi Mehro, Herat's Girl's School, for the purchase of school furniture and $1,000 (US) to Ariana School in Peshawar for educational supplies.
• AWAI sent school supplies to over 1,000 children in several refugee camps.
• In 1998, AWAI established an economic development project, a handicraft and sewing cooperative, for women in the Naser Bagh camp. This project will teach sewing and embroidery as well as assist the women in marketing their products locally and internationally.

• In 1996, Four AWAI representatives traveled to Washington, D.C. to speak on behalf of Afghan women at a Congressional Hearing. These women offered a unique perspective on the impact of 18 years of war and a repressive regime on the lives of women in Afghanistan.
• In 1997, AWAI representatives made a presentation to the World Affairs Council in San Francisco to provide information on the current conditions of women in Afghanistan; as well as a second appearance before a Congressional Hearing in Washington D.C. on the same subject.
• In 1998, AWAI executive Director traveled to Pakistan with representatives from other refugee organizations to survey conditions of women and children under the Taliban regime an in the refugee camps. The AWAI Executive subsequently testified before the United Nations on the results of the survey during a conference in connection with International Women's Day

• In the United States, AWAI organized Afghan New Year Celebrations attended by over 3,000 Afghans in Fremont, California; a Mother's Day celebration, and a Health Fair.
• In addition to cultural celebrations, AWAI has organized a Town Meeting with the City of Fremont Police Department to discuss the issues of Afghan gangs and violence prevention. These events serve to build community, to provide information and access to services, and to formulate community solutions to problems.
• AWAI also launched the Elderly Women's Program which was specifically designed to reach isolated refugees to provide a system of support and social activities for the older women in our community who suffer a disproportionate amount of depression and isolation. The Elderly Women's Program was recognized by the Women's Health Leadership Program as a model of community Action.